Courtney Applauds NRC Safety Report on Yucca Mountain

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) applauded the findings of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s completed safety report on the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear repository site, which found that the Yucca Mountain nuclear repository site will meet all safety requirements for up to one million years post-closure.

“I am encouraged that the NRC has confirmed that Yucca Mountain is a viable long-term solution to our nation’s nuclear waste storage problem,” Courtney said. “The current system of storing nuclear waste at over 70 active and retired generators across the country—including two locations in Connecticut’s Second District—burdens ratepayers with increased costs as nuclear facilities continue to remain responsible for their own on-site storage and security of spent fuel. Knowing that the NRC believes Yucca Mountain to be safe for nuclear waste storage for upwards of a million years gives me hope that progress towards developing a centralized repository can be made within the foreseeable future.”

The NRC report found that the Yucca Mountain nuclear repository site will meet all safety requirements for up to one million years post-closure. This report is the result of a 2013 DC Court of Appeals decision that directed the NRC to use remaining Yucca project dollars to complete the post-closure safety evaluation.

Courtney has consistently supported the construction of a centralized nuclear waste facility and has urged the Obama Administration to continue development of the Yucca Mountain project. Last year, Congressman Courtney joined a bipartisan coalition of 80 House members in urging the NRC to resume work on this report. In addition, he has supported several bipartisan efforts on the House floor to continue funding the Yucca licensing process.

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